Product Description

The Compact Ball Head is strong enough to take 35mm SLR cameras with medium lenses, and light medium format cameras. It has a single ratchet locking knob for 360° pan and +90° -90° tilt movements. Head to tripod attachment is 3/8" female. All aluminum construction and black finish. This versatile head is fitted with quick release 3157N camera plate system with a secondary safety catch.

Product Details

• Brand: Bogen
• Model: 486RC2
• Released on: 2006-04-14
• Dimensions: 4.00" h x 4.00" w x 7.00" l, 3.00 pounds

Features

• Compact ball head equipped with a 3157N quick-release camera plate
• Strong die-cast construction, precision-machined aluminum housing
• Extremely hard phenolic resin ball provides smooth movements across all tilt positions
• Single ratchet locking knob for 360-degree pan and a double groove for +90 to -90-degree tilt movements
• Plate has 1/4-20-inch male thread, and head to tripod attachment is 3/8-inch female

From the Manufacturer
The Bogen-Manfrotto 486RC2 Compact Ball Head is the same as the 486 but equipped with a 3157N quick-release camera plate. The 486RC2 is a direct replacement of the 3413QR and 3055S ProBall and Heavy-Duty Double Action Ball Heads. A strong die-cast construction, precision machined aluminum housing, and an extremely hard phenolic resin ball provides smooth movements across all tilt positions. The 486RC2 features a single ratchet locking knob for 360-degree pan and a double groove for +90 to -90-degree tilt movements. Camera plate has a 1/4-20-inch male thread, and head to tripod attachment is 3/8-inch female. Optional Plates: 200PL-38, 200PLARCH-14, 200PLARCH-38.

Features include:

• Sturdy all-metal construction
• The double 90-degree groove (one on each side of the head) means switching from landscape to portrait is convenient however you're set up
• The compact, rectangular 200PL quick release plate system fits neatly under small-bodied still cameras up to SLR (even with tele lenses) or small medium format, or under small video cameras or spotting scopes. Its rubber pad gives a good grip without damaging the camera, and its angled sides ensure that it also fits perfectly and tightly into a wide range of Manfrotto heads
• This head features a secondary security lock so you can't accidentally release the plate (and camera) without meaning to. The lock stops the quick release lever from opening fully
• A repositionable ratchet means that the locking lever's action will never be blocked either open or closed by interference with the camera body, tripod shoulder, etc... simply pull the lever outwards and it's free to be positioned more comfortably without affecting the locking mechanism. Then you can continue tightening or loosening the knob
• A convenient single locking mechanism blocks or frees movement on all axes for greater speed of use

Customer Reviews

486RC2 for the Serious Amatuer.
I puchased the 486RC2 for my D60 coupled with the Nikkor 55-200mm VR. I coupled the head with the Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod Legs.

Pros:
- Super smooth movement of the ball head
- One lever release allows for quick and easy adjustment
- The head will securely hold my D60 and 55-200mm VR in the upright/normal position when 055XPROB tripod neck is placed in horizontal arrangement
- Sturdy design, well built
- RC2 quick release system allows easy/quick dismounting of camera for hand-held shots
- Grooves in the swivel base allow for quick and secure vertical positioning of the camera

Cons:
- Does not allow for accurate fine tuned adjustments, would need to go with a geared head instead
- A little heavy, at 3lbs, which adds to the already heavy 055XPROB Tripod Legs

Summary:
I love this head, almost as much as I love the Tripod/Head combination. I am more than satisfied with my purchase.

Great for motorcycles.
I bought this to mount a video camera to my motorcycle. Works well, and I can take camera easily when I stop. Very rugged and heavy.

A bargain - perfect first ball head
This ball head is highly-reviewed by so many people because it truly delivers a LOT of value for the money. I looked into it after reading suggestions in Scott Kelby's excellent "The Digital Photography Book".

My tripod came with a pan head - a very good one - but I wanted to find out if I would prefer ball heads. Didn't want to spend a fortune (expensive ones run upwards of $200-300), but wanted one that was solid enough that I could really decide if ball heads were for me.

As it turns out, the 486RC2 was perfect for this task. It is solid and easily holds my 40D with even a 70-200mm lens without sagging. And for my style, a ball head seemed easier than a pan head atop my tripod.

The RC2 quick release plate is solid and reassuring, and I do like the mechanism. You won't accidentally release the plate and drop your camera onto the floor - the little latching lock is excellent in this regard. I will look for a similar plate on my next ball head.

The only improvement I would ask for is the step up to the 488RC2, which has a separate release for panning/rotating. I want to do some basic panoramas, and it's just a bit easier to have a separate release for horizontal motion. Had I known I would be a ball head guy rather than a pan head guy, I'd have bought the 488RC2 right away. But since I didn't know and wanted to make sure, I got this one first. Even when I eventually get the 488RC2, I'll keep this one to put atop my second tripod; that way it's easy to swap cameras around, as both cameras and both ball heads will have the RC2 system.

For the excellent price, you get a SOLID ball head and a great quick release system - you'll appreciate it.